Difference between revisions of "Timeline of Church History"

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{{Orthodoxchristianity}} 
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The '''History of the Church''' is a vital part of the Orthodox Christian faith. Orthodox Christians are defined significantly by their continuity with all those who have gone before, those who first received and preached the truth of [[Jesus Christ]] to the world, those who helped to formulate the expression and worship of our faith, and those who continue to move forward in the unchanging yet ever-dynamic [[Holy Tradition]] of the [[Orthodox Church]]. 
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== New Testament era == 
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*ca. 6-7BC [[Nativity|Christ is born]] in Bethlehem; 14,000 [[Holy Innocents]] slain in Bethlehem. 
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*ca. 25-26 Death of [[Joseph the Betrothed]]. 
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*ca. 27 [[Theophany|Christ's baptism in the Jordan]]. 
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*ca. 28 Beheading of [[John the Forerunner|John the Baptist]]. 
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*ca. 30 [[Crucifixion]], [[Resurrection]] and [[Ascension]] of Christ. 
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*ca. 30 Martyrdom of [[Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr|Stephen]]. 
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*30 Conversion of [[Apostle Paul]] on road to Damascus. 
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==Apostolic era (33-100)== 
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*33 The [[Holy Spirit]] descends on the day of [[Pentecost]], filling the followers of [[Jesus Christ]] with power from on high. 
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*34 [[Apostle Peter]] founds [[Church of Antioch|See of Antioch]]. 
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*35 The name ''Christian'' first used in Antioch. 
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*37 [[Joseph of Arimathea]] travels to Britain and lands in [[Glastonbury]]. 
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*49 [[Apostolic Council of Jerusalem]] rules that Gentiles do not have to become Jews before becoming Christians. 
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*50 [[Apostle Matthew]] finishes the [[Gospel of Matthew]] in Aramaic. 
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*62 Martyrdom of [[Apostle James the Just]]; crucifixion of [[Apostle Andrew]] in Patras. 
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*63 [[Aristobulus]] consecrated as first bishop of Britain.   
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*64-67 Persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero. 
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*64 Martyrdom of the [[Apostle Paul]] in Rome. 
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*67 Martyrdom of the [[Apostle Peter]] in Rome; [[Apostle Linus]] elected first [[bishop]] of Rome. 
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*68 Suicide of Emperor Nero. 
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*69 [[Ignatius of Antioch]] consecrated [[bishop]] of Antioch. 
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*70 [[Apostle Mark]] writes [[Gospel of Mark|Gospel]]; Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed by the Romans; expulsion of the Christians from the synagogues; Johanan Ben Zacchai founds college at Jamnia that becomes seat of Sanhedrin and center of Judaism A.D. 70-135, enabling emergence of Rabbinic Judaism. 
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*71 [[Apostle Mark]] introduces Christianity to Egypt. 
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*75 Judea, Galilea and Samaria are renamed ''Palaestina'' by the Romans. 
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*80 [[Gospel of Luke]] written by the [[Apostle Luke]]; Jewish historian (and former general) [[Josephus]] writes ''Antiquities''. 
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*ca. 80-90 ''[[Didache]]'' written. 
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*85 ''[[Acts of the Apostles]]'' written by [[Apostle Luke]]. 
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*90 [[w:Council of Jamnia|Council of Jamnia (Javneh)]] marks final separation and distinction between the Jewish and Christian communities, including rejection of the [[Septuagint]] widely then in use among the Hellenized Jewish diaspora. 
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*95 [[Apostle John]] writes [[Book of Revelation]]. 
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*96-98 Persecution of Christians under Emperor Domitian. 
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*96 [[Gospel of John]] written by [[Apostle John]] as supplement and further theological illumination of the [[Synoptic gospels]]. 
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*100 Death of [[Apostle John]]. 
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==Ante-Nicene era (100-325)== 
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*107 Martyrdom of [[Ignatius of Antioch]]; death of [[Apostle Symeon]]. 
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*124 Apostles [[Apostle Quadratus|Quadratus]] and Aristides present Christian apologies to Emperor Hadrian at Athens. 
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*130 [[Conversion]] of [[Justin Martyr]]. 
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*132 Jews, led by Bar Kochba, whom some identify as the Messiah, revolt against Rome. 
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*135 [[Christmas]] instituted as a [[feast day]] in Rome. 
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*136 Emperor Hadrian crushes Jewish resistance, forbids Jews from returning Jerusalem, and changes city name to ''Aelia Capitolina''; first recorded use of title ''Pope'' for the bishop of Rome by Pope [[Hyginus of Rome|Hyginus]]. 
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*144 Excommunication of [[Marcion]] for his [[heresy|heretical]] rejection of the [[Old Testament]] and for his semi-[[Gnosticism|Gnostic]] teachings, particularly [[Docetism]]. 
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*150 [[Justin Martyr]] describes [[Divine Liturgy]]. 
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*155 Martyrdom of [[Polycarp of Smyrna]]. 
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*156 Beginning of [[Montanism]]. 
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*165 Martyrdom of [[Justin Martyr|Justin]]. 
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*ca. 170 Emergence of [[w:Muratorian fragment|Muratorian Canon]]. 
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*180 [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] writes ''Against Heresies'' ; Saint Dyfan first martyr in British Isles (at Merthyr Dyfan, Wales.) 
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*190 [[Pantaenus]] founds the [[Alexandrian school|Catechetical School at Alexandria]].   
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*195 Bishop Saint Elvan dies at Glastonbury. 
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*197 [[Quartodeciman]] controversy. 
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*200 Martyrdom of [[Irenaeus of Lyons]]. 
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*202 Martyrdom of [[Haralampus of Magnesia]]. 
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*203 Emperor Septimus Severus issues edict against Christianity and [[Judaism]]. 
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*206 King Abgar IX converts Edessa to Christianity. 
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*208 [[Tertullian]] writes that Christ has followers on the far side of the Roman wall in Britain where Roman legions have not yet penetrated. 
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*ca. 209 Martyrdom of [[Alban]] in Britain. 
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*215 Conversion of [[Tertullian]] to [[Montanism]]. 
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*225 Death of [[Tertullian]]. 
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*232 Heraclas becomes Pope of Alexandria. 
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*246 [[Paul of Thebes]] retreats to the Egyptian desert and becomes first Christian hermit.   
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*249-251 Persecution under Emperor Decius. 
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*251-253 Persecution under Emperor Gaius. 
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*253-260 Persecution under Emperor Valerian. 
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*255-256 Three Councils of Carthage. 
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*260 [[Paul of Samosata]] begins his heretical preaching against the divinity of Christ. 
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*264 Excommunication of [[Paul of Samosata]]. 
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*270 Death of [[Gregory the Wonderworker|Gregory Thaumaturgus]]. 
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*272 Martyrdom of Sabbas Stratelates ("the General") of Rome and 70 soldiers. 
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*284 [[Diocletian]] becomes Roman emperor, persecutes Church and martyrs an estimated one million Christians; martyrdom of [[Cosmas and Damian (Rome)|Cosmas and Damian]], Andrew Stratelates ("the General") and 2,593 soldiers with him in Cilicia. 
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*285 [[Anthony the Great]] flees to the desert to pursue a life of prayer. 
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*301 [[Gregory the Illuminator]] converts King Tiridates I of Armenia to the Christian faith. 
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*302 20,000 Martyrs burned at Nicomedia. 
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*303 Outbreak of the Great Persecution, as Diocletian launches the last major persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire; martyrdom of [[George the Trophy-bearer]]. 
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*305 Martyrdom of [[Panteleimon]] and [[Catherine of Alexandria]]. Martyrdom of Bishop Ianouarios of Beneventio of Campania and his Companions. 
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*306 Martyrdom of [[Demetrius of Thessaloniki]]. 
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*310 Armenia becomes first Christian nation; persecution of Christians under Persian King [[w:Shapur II|Shapur II]] (310-379). 
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*311 Galerius issues Edict of Toleration ending persecution of Christians in his part of the Roman Empire; rebellion of the [[Donatism|Donatists]] in Carthage. 
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*312 Vision and conversion of [[Constantine the Great]]; defeat of Maxentius at the [[Battle of Milvian Bridge]], making Constantine Emperor of the West. 
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*313 [[Edict of Milan]] issued by [[Constantine the Great]] and co-emperor Licinius, officially declaring religious freedom in the Roman Empire, specifically naming religious toleration for Christianity, restoration of property to Christian churches, and legal recognition. 
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*314 [[Council of Ancyra]] held; [[Council of Arles]] condemns [[Donatism]]. 
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*315 [[Council of Neo-Caesaria]] held. 
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*318 Publication of ''[[On the Incarnation]]'' by [[Athanasius the Great]], influencing the condemnation of [[Arianism]]; beginnings of [[Arianism|Arian Controversy]]. 
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*318 [[Pachomius the Great]], disciple of [[Anthony the Great]], organizes a community of ascetics at Tabennis in Egypt, founding [[cenobitic]] [[monasticism]]. 
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*319 Translation of relics of [[Theodore the General|Theodore Stratelates]] ("the General"). 
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*320 Expulsion of [[Arius]] by [[Alexander of Alexandria]]; martyrdom of [[Forty Martyrs of Sebaste]]. 
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*323 [[Constantine the Great]] builds church on the site of the martyrdom of [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] in Rome. 
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*324 [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]] defeats Licinius and becomes sole emperor. 
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==Nicene era (325-451)== 
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*325 [[First Ecumenical Council]] held in Nicea, condemning [[Arianism]], setting the [[Paschalion]], and issuing the first version of the [[Nicene Creed]]. 
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*326 Discovery of the [[True Cross]] by the Empress [[Helen]]a; King Miraeus of Georgia becomes Christian. 
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*328 [[Athanasius the Great]] becomes bishop of Alexandria (328-373). 
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*329 [[Athanasius of Alexandria|Athanasius]] ordains [[Frumentius]] (Abba Selama) to [[priest]]hood and commissions him to evangelize Ethiopia. 
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*330 Constantinople is founded as ''New Rome'' and Christian capital of the Roman Empire; Amoun and [[Macarius the Great]] found monasteries in the Egyptian desert. 
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*333 [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]] commissions [[Eusebius of Caesarea|Eusebius]], to prepare 50 copies of the Bible for churches in the new capital. 
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*335 Death of [[Sylvester of Rome|Sylvester]], Pope of Rome. 
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*336-338 [[Athanasius the Great]] goes into exile in Treves, telling Europeans about the monastic rule of [[Pachomius the Great]], awakening interest in [[monasticism]] in Europe. 
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*337 Death of [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]]. 
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*339-346 Second exile of [[Athanasius the Great|Athanasius]]. 
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*340 Conversion of [[Wulfila]] to [[Arianism]], subsequently missionizing the Goths with [[heresy|heretical]] doctrine; Council of Rome under Pope Julius where Athanasius and Marcellus are declared innocent and maintained in the communion of the western churches; [[Council of Gangra]] held. 
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*340-570 [[w:Constantinople|Constantinople]] overtakes Rome as the [[w:List of largest cities throughout history|largest city in the world]] by population. 
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*341 [[Council of Antioch]] held; Emperor Constans bans pagan sacrifices and magic rituals under penalty of death. 
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*345 Death of [[Nicholas of Myra|Nicholas]], Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. 
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*347 [[Council of Sardica]]. 
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*348 Death of [[Pachomius the Great]]; death of [[Spyridon of Trimythous]]. 
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*350 [[Ninian]] establishes the church Candida Casa at Whithorn in Galloway, Scotland, beginning the missionary effort to the Picts. 
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*351 Apparition of the Sign of the [[Cross]] over Jerusalem. 
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*355 Death of [[Nino of Cappadocia|Nina]], Enlightener of Georgia. 
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*356 Death of [[Anthony the Great]]. 
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*357 The [[Council of Sirmium]], the high point of Arianism, issues the ''Blasphemy of Sirmium''. 
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*358 [[Basil the Great]] founds monastery of Annesos in Pontus, the model for Eastern [[monasticism]]. 
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*359 Councils of [[Council of Seleucia|Seleucia]] in the east and [[Council of Rimini|Rimini]] in the west. 
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*360 [[Martin of Tours]] founds first French monastery at Liguge; first church of [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]] inaugurated by Emperor [[w:Constantius II|Constantius II]]. 
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*362 Synod of Alexandria; Antiochian schism (362-414). 
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*361-63 [[Julian the Apostate]] becomes Roman emperor, attempting to restore paganism. 
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*363 Emperor [[w:Jovian|Jovian]] reestablished Christianity as the official religion of the Empire, stating that he preferred the Orthodox view, and that Athanasius was to be permitted to return to his see at Alexandria. 
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*364 [[Council of Laodicea]] held.. 
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*365-66 Brief exile and final restoration of [[Athanasius of Alexandria]]. 
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*367 [[Athanasius of Alexandria]] writes his [[Pascha]]l letter, listing for the first time the [[canon]] of the [[New Testament]] of the [[Holy Scriptures]], including all 27 New Testament Books; death of [[Hilary of Poitiers]]. 
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*373 Death of [[Athanasius the Great]]; death of [[Ephrem the Syrian]].   
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*374 Election of [[Ambrose of Milan|Ambrose]] as bishop of Milan. 
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*375 [[Basil the Great]] writes ''[[On the Holy Spirit]]'', confirming the divinity of the [[Holy Spirit]]. 
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*376 Visigoths convert to [[Arianism|Arian]] Christianity. 
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*378 [[Meletius of Antioch|Meletius]] returns to his see as bishop of Antioch; at [[w:Battle of Adrianople|Battle of Adrianople]] Emperor Valens defeated by the Visigoths, permanently weakening northern borders of the empire.   
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*379 Death of [[Basil the Great]]; Emperor Gratian's rescript ''Ordinariorum Sententias'' extends power of Bishop of Rome by allowing him authority over bishops within his own jurisdiction. 
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*380 Christianity established as the official faith of the Roman Empire by Emperor [[Theodosius the Great]]; [[Council of Saragossa]] condemns [[Priscillianism]]. 
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*381 [[Second Ecumenical Council]] held in Constantinople, condemning [[Pneumatomachianism|Macedonianism/Pneumatomachianism]] and [[Appollinarianism]], declaring the divinity of the Holy Spirit, confirming the previous [[Ecumenical Council]], and completing the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]]; [[Council of Aquileia]] led by [[Ambrose of Milan]] deposes Arian bishops. 
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*382 Pope [[Siricius of Rome]] first to bear title ''Pontifex Maximus''. 
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*ca. 383 Death of [[Frumentius]]. 
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*384 Council of Bordeaux condemns [[Priscillian]]. 
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*385 Death of [[Gregory of Nyssa]]. 
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*386 [[Panagia Soumela Monastery]] founded in Trebizond, Pontus, Asia Minor; death of [[Cyril of Jerusalem]]; [[Theodosius the Great (emperor)|Theodosius the Great]] begins to rebuild the present-day [[w:Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls|Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls]].   
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*387 [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] baptized at [[Pascha]] by [[Ambrose of Milan]]. 
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*391 Death of [[Gregory the Theologian]].   
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*391-92 All non-Christian temples in the Empire closed; [[Theodosius the Great (emperor)|Theodosius the Great]] ends pagan Eleusinian Mysteries by decree and causes surviving pagan sacrifices at Alexandria and Rome to cease. 
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*392 Death of [[Macarius the Great]].   
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*393 [[Council of Hippo]] publishes Biblical canon; Emperor Theodosius bans Olympic Games as a pagan festival. 
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*394 [[Epiphanius of Salamis]] attacks teachings of [[Origen]] as heretical; Council of Constantinople held; [[Donatism|Donatist]] Council of Bagai in Africa held with 310 bishops. 
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*395 [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] becomes bishop of Hippo in North Africa; the placing of the cincture (sash) of the Most Holy [[Theotokos]] in the Church of the Virgin in Halkoprateia-Constantinople (395-408). 
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*395 Re-division of Empire with death of Emperor Theodosius the Great. 
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*397 [[Council of Carthage]] publishes Biblical canon; death of [[Martin of Tours]]; death of [[Ambrose of Milan]]. 
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*398 [[John Chrysostom]] becomes [[Archbishop]] of Constantinople. 
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*ca. 398 Martyrdom of 10,000 Fathers of the Scetis by Patriarch [[Theophilus of Alexandria]]. 
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*399 [[Anastasius of Rome]] and other bishops condemn doctrine of [[Origen]]. 
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*401 [[Augustine of Hippo]] writes ''Confessions''; Pope [[Innocent I of Rome]] supports [[John Chrysostom]] and condemns [[pelagianism]]. 
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*402 Emperor Honorius transfers capital of the Western Empire from Milan to [[Ravenna (Italy)|Ravenna]]; [[Porphyry of Gaza]] obtains imperial decree ordering closing of pagan temples in Gaza. 
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*403 Abduction of [[Patrick of Ireland|Patrick]] to Ireland to serve as a slave; visit of [[Victricius of Rouen]] to Britain; [[Synod of the Oak]] held near Chalcedon, deposing and exiling [[John Chrysostom]]. 
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*404 Martyrdom of [[Telemachus]], resulting in Emperor Honorius' edict banning gladiator fights. 
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*405 Translation of [[Holy Scriptures]] into Latin as the [[Vulgate]] by [[Jerome]]; martyrdom of [[Moses the Black]]. 
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*406 Invasion of Gaul by Germanic tribes, severing contact between Rome and Britain. 
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*407 Death of [[John Chrysostom]] in exile. 
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*410 Fall of Rome to the Visigoths under Alaric I; escape of [[Patrick of Ireland|Patrick]] back to Britain; Emperor Honorius tells Britain to attend to its own affairs, effectively removing the Roman presence; [[Honoratus]] founds a monastery on island of Lerins. 
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*410 [[Council of Seleucia]] declares Mesopotamian [[Nestorianism|Nestorian]] bishops independent of Orthodox bishops. 
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*411 [[Pelagius]] condemned at council in Carthage; [[Rabbula of Edessa|Rabbula]] becomes bishop of Edessa. 
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*412 [[Cyril of Alexandria|Cyril]] succeeds his uncle Theophilus as Pope of Alexandria; Honorius outlaws [[Donatism]]; Lazarus, bishop of Aix-en-Provence, and Herod, bishop of Arles, expelled from sees on a charge of [[Manichaeism]]. 
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*413 Martyrdom of [[Marcellinus of Carthage]]. 
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*414 Resolution of the Antiochian division. 
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*415 [[Pelagius]] cleared at a [[synod]] in Jerusalem and a provincial synod in Diospolis (Lydda); [[John Cassian]] founds convent at Marseilles.   
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*416 Councils in Carthage and Milevis condemn [[Pelagius]] and convince Pope Innocent I of Rome to excommunicate him. 
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*418 Foundation of the Arian [[w:Visigothic Kingdom|Visigothic Kingdom]], as Emperor Honorius rewards Visigoth federates by giving them land in Gallia Aquitania on which to settle. 
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*418-24 Council in Carthage anathematizes [[Pelagianism]] by way of endorsing [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustinian]] [[anthropology]]. 
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*425 Sanhedrin disbanded by the Roman Empire; [[w:University of Constantinople|University of Constantinople]] founded as the first university in the world. 
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*426 [[Augustine of Hippo]] writes ''The City of God''. 
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*428 [[Nestorius]] becomes patriarch of Constantinople. 
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*429 Pope [[Celestine of Rome|Celestine I]] dispatches prominent Gallo-Roman Bishops [[Germanus of Auxerre]] and Lupus of Troyes to Britain as missionary bishops and to combat the [[Pelagianism|Pelagian]] heresy; death of [[Sisoes the Great]].   
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*ca. 430 Death of [[Nilus of Sinai]]. 
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*430 [[Peter the Iberian]] founds Georgian monastery near Bethlehem. 
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*431 [[Third Ecumenical Council]] held in Ephesus, condemning [[Nestorianism]] and [[Pelagianism]], confirming the use of the term ''[[Theotokos]]'' to refer to the Virgin Mary, and confirming [[autocephaly]] of [[Church of Cyprus]]; Pope Celestine sends [[Palladius]] to Ireland. 
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*432 Return of [[Patrick of Ireland|Patrick]] to Ireland to begin missionary work; death of [[Ninian]], Apostle to the Picts. 
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*433 [[Formulary of Peace]] completes the work of the [[Third Ecumenical Council]] by reconciling [[Cyril of Alexandria]] with [[John of Antioch]]. 
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*435 Death of [[John Cassian]]; death of [[Acacius of Melitene]]; [[Nestorius]] exiled by Imperial edict to a monastery in a Sahara oasis. 
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*438 [[w:Codex Theodosianus|Codex Theodosianus]] published. 
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*439 Carthage falls to Vandals.   
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*444 Death of [[Cyril of Alexandria]]; Pope [[Leo the Great]] abolishes Gallican vicariate. 
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*445 Founding of monastery at Armagh in northern Ireland; Emperor Valentinian III issues decree recognizing primacy of the bishop of Rome. 
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*447 Earthquake in Constantinople, when a boy was lifted up to heaven and heard the [[Trisagion]]. 
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*449 [[Robber Synod of Ephesus]], presided over by [[Dioscorus of Alexandria]], with an order from the emperor to acquit [[Eutyches (heretic)|Eutyches]] the [[Monophysitism|Monophysite]]. 
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*450 First monasteries established in Wales; Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britian; death of [[Peter Chrysologus]]. 
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==Byzantine era (451-843)==

Revision as of 18:01, September 14, 2008

This article forms part of the series
Introduction to
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Holy Tradition
Holy Scripture
The Symbol of Faith
Ecumenical Councils
Church Fathers
Liturgy
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The Holy Trinity
God the Father
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
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The History of the Church is a vital part of the Orthodox Christian faith. Orthodox Christians are defined significantly by their continuity with all those who have gone before, those who first received and preached the truth of Jesus Christ to the world, those who helped to formulate the expression and worship of our faith, and those who continue to move forward in the unchanging yet ever-dynamic Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church.

New Testament era

Apostolic era (33-100)

Ante-Nicene era (100-325)

Nicene era (325-451)

Byzantine era (451-843)